two years blogging

potted white bougainvillea hanging out with the ruellia

I'm late to my own party! Just realized that August 27, 2007 was my very first blog post, so yesterday was my two-year blogging anniversary. I have no profound haikus to offer. Just thought I'd share.

indoor outdoor purple

Looks like today will make Austin's 64th day of 100+ heat this year, and I just couldn't deal with any outdoor projects this weekend. Instead, I stayed inside and lost a few brain cells breathing latex fumes as I painted this cute little wooden chair to use as a plant stand for the back yard.


the whole gang



See the cool maroon-leafed plant in the forefront of the above photo? It's a Hawaiian Ti plant (Cordyline Terminalis 'Red Sister') I just bought, which will become a houseplant once/if temperatures get below 50. Praying mantis approves.

garden bloggers' bloom day

Astrophytum asterias 'Sand Dollar'

I'm a broken record. Yesterday was Austin's 55th day of triple-digit heat. Starting August 24th, city water use restrictions tighten so that we can only water with sprinklers one day a week between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. I still managed to find a few blooms to share today. Check out other blooms at Carol's May Dreams Gardens blog.


rain lilies (thanks Annie!)


plumbago


provence lavender


balloon flower (Platycodon 'Sentimental Blue')


ruellia


lantana that I forgot I planted more than a year ago


blue daze (Evolvulus glomeratus 'Blue Daze')


recent impulse purchase bougainvillea

More water restrictions soon

I just received this breaking news email alert from the Austin Chronicle:

The Austin Water Utility will announce this week that due to continued severe drought, "Stage 2" water restrictions will be implemented effective Monday, Aug. 24. Under Stage 2 restrictions, residential users will be limited to one day of watering per week (instead of the current two days), paved surfaces cannot be washed except for immediate hazards, and more general restrictions will also apply. For more information, see the AWU Web site here.

welcoming more succulents: baby steps

Today is Austin's 46th day of triple-digit heat this year, as well as our second year of extreme or exceptional drought. Our front yard garden is almost 100 percent drought-tolerant plants, with no lawn, and yet I still find myself watering more than I'd like to keep things looking pretty decent.

I don't care much now about keeping those things looking particularly good, just alive.

I think I may be experiencing SAD, not the traditional Seasonal Affective Disorder that affects many Seattle residents, but Summer Affective Disorder (not sure if it exists clinically)--too many days of extreme heat, bright sun, and precious little rain. I rarely utter the word "sun" anymore without a few accompanying expletives!



So, accepting that we now live in a desert climate, I've finally seen the light and am learning to love succulents! Although we have a few nice, big varieties in the ground that were suggested by a landscape architect friend, I'm really a total beginner in this department.





I'm cultivating my new interest in succulents and cacti in baby steps by trying some out in my recently painted pots:


aloes I freed from a crowded pot


a succulent relative of the kalanchoe?


tag read "Crassula 'chain' mix"


more aloes I freed from a crowded pot